Philadelphia Union

Jack McInerney scored in the US U-23 team’s 1–1 draw with the USMNT. McInerney, Amobi Okugo, and Freddy Adu started the first half. Zac MacMath and Sheanon Williams started the second half.

John Hackworth says of Tom Brandt, the Union’s first pick in the Supplemental Draft, “We wanted to get a quality player in the back and we feel like we did that with Tom Brandt. He was one of our targets…He’s a good all around player. He’s a central defender but he’s also played some in the midfield.” Brandt scored a hat trick in his final college game.

MLSsoccer.com gives the Union a 5.5 for their Supplemental Draft picks. “Brandt projects to be depth at center back but the highlight is Witkowski, who is a tricky, very technical winger and a former Polish U-18 national teamer. Union boss Peter Nowak will know him well. Hoppenot and Zimmerman are the honest, hard-working type, who will have enough to do to hang on during preseason.”

Kerith Gabriel talks to Union scouting and player development head Diego Gutierrez about Latin America players coming into MLS. Gutierrez says the Union’s recent offseason signings are players with the potential to become foundational players for years to come. “They work hard, have a good pedigree and they want to make a name for themselves. They don’t even have to speak English that well; they go on the field and compete, and no one has to question their leadership and work ethic. That’s what we want here and those are the guys I will always go after”

PPL Park is No. 4 on Steve Davis’ Top 5 list of stadiums that should host US 2014 World Cup qualifiers. “[The location helps in terms] of bringing Mexico, Central American or Caribbean sides in colder months. Plus, if fans in Philly can’t make visitors just a little uncomfortable, nobody can.” Damn straight!

Philadelphia Independence

All White Kit has some audio clips and quotes from Paul Riley at the WPS Draft, including one that seems to suggest that Lauren Cheney will be joining the Independence. When asked if he is interested in coaching the USWNT, Riley says, “I would love the job, it’s a dream job.” He’s awesome.

Riley believes there will be 14 teams in WPS in 2014. “I think we will, because I think the West Coast will come in all together. We’re not going to bring them in until there are six or seven of them, and when they come in, they’ll jump the numbers up pretty quickly. And if we can get five or six out there, that’ll be great too. We don’t need seven. But I think right now, they’re probably at three over there, and they need to get to five or six before we do it, because that’s important.” So, he’s also ambitious.

This look at the Independence’s 12th pick in the WPS Draft, CoCo Goodson, has the awesome title “Coo Coo for CoCo.”

Local

With four alumni selected in Tuesday’s Supplemental Draft, bringing their total to seven former players selected in the 2012 MLS draft, Reading United set a new club record. We are fortunate to have such a fine organization in our area.

MLS

Billy Schuler explains that the decision to sign with Swedish side Hammarby rather than enter this year’s SuperDraft was influenced by, among other things, the length of the Generation adidas contract he was offered by MLS. “The Generation Adidas deal I was offered is a five-year contract. It’s a two year guaranteed contract with three option years that the club holds. So, if there is European interest or something, the club would have to let you go, which is usually not very easy. I’m going to turn 22 in a few months, and that would kind of hold me down in MLS until I’m 26. For me, that’s a long time.”

US

Caleb Porter believes continuity is the key to qualifying for the Olympics. “I want to have some continuity from camp to camp so that we can really build the team. With the way that we want to play, you have to have a lot of the same guys in so you can grow this concept within them.

Author: Ed Farnsworth
Ed used to play drums. A lot. Now he's managing editor of PSP. A member of the Society for American Soccer History, he likes researching Philadelphia soccer history. A lot. Email him at efarnsworth@phillysoccerpage.com. Follow him on Twitter @FarnsworthPSP.

One Comment

Really happy for JackMac, SoccerByIves singled him (and Okugo) out for praise as well. Thank god those two have a great chance of being on the Olympic squad and thus getting a ton of valuable playing time – I doubt they would be able to get the same amount on this team right now.